Since its formation in 1991, the band line-up has included Neil Fallon (vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards), Tim Sult (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dan Maines (bass, backing vocals) and Jean-Paul Gaster (drums and percussion). To date, Clutch has released thirteen studio albums, and several rarities and live albums. Since 2008 the band have been signed to their own record label, Weathermaker.
Clutch (originally called “Glut Trip” and stemmed from “Moral Minority”) was formed in 1991 by Dan Maines (bass), Jean-Paul Gaster (drums), Tim Sult (guitar), and Roger Smalls (vocals) in Germantown, Maryland. Smalls soon departed and was replaced by Neil Fallon, a longtime schoolmate of the other members at Seneca Valley High School. The band quickly gained notice through constant touring. The 12" single “Passive Restraints” on the Earache label was Clutch’s first commercial release, garnering attention from other labels. Their debut LP, Transnational Speedway League, was released in 1993. It was followed by a self-titled album two years later that gained Clutch mainstream exposure. The band moved to the larger Columbia label for the 1998 album The Elephant Riders. They followed it in 1999 with a self-released groove-based album Jam Room.
On April 28, 2009 Clutch released Slow Hole to China, a collection of unreleased tracks.
On June 10, 2012, the band released a new single, “Pigtown Blues”, on iTunes, backed with an acoustic version of “Motherless Child” from Strange Cousins from the West.
On March 16, 2013 Clutch released their tenth album Earth Rocker which entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #15 giving Clutch their highest chart position to date. It would remain on the chart for a total of 5 weeks. The album also reached #4 on iTunes’ overall Top 100 album charts and was #1 in their rock chart. Earthrocker won “Album of the Year” 2013 from British publication Metalhammer, and was rated highly on many rock/metal magazines’ and websites’ end-of-the-year “Top Tens”.
In an interview on January 7, 2015 with music and entertainment company 88 Miles West, Fallon stated that the band was heading to Dripping Springs, Texas, to record their upcoming eleventh album. Fallon states the venture to Texas was due to the relocation of record producer Machine, with whom they worked on Blast Tyrant and Earth Rocker, and who recently opened a new studio there. He stated in the interview that “Septemberish, give or take a couple of months” is when they hope to release the new album.
Their eleventh studio album is titled Psychic Warfare, and was released October 2, 2015. Fallon said the concept is influenced by science fiction author Philip K. Dick. “His general philosophy and questions have always crept into my lyrics, because I share an interest in it,” he adds. “On Earth Rocker, ‘Crucial Velocity’ was definitely a Philip Dick song for me. On this record, ‘X-Ray Visions’ certainly is.”. Gaster described the new material as more diverse than ever.
In April 2018, Neil Fallon announced through the radio station The Eagle Rocks that the band's twelfth studio album would be titled Book of Bad Decisions. The album will be released on September 7, 2018. The album was recorded at Sputnik Sound Studio in Nashville, Tennessee with producer and engineer Vance Powell.
On November 13, 2020 Released The Weathermaker Studios Vol. 1. A collection of re-recorded hits and 4 unreleased covers and songs.
On September 16,2022 Clutch released their 13th Studio album: Sunrise on Slaughter Beach.
Between 2004-2018 Clutch created seven straight top 10 releases on Billboard’s Independent Album Chart.
Neil Fallon – vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, keyboards, percussion
Tim Sult – lead guitar
Dan Maines – bass guitar
Jean-Paul Gaster – drums, percussion
Land of Pleasant Living
Clutch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the Vodka spinning Mir
All that is is passing
And now is never here
So keep on raging
You frenzied pioneers
No time for the wringing of hands
Bust out that Dom Perignon
Johnnie Walker Red on that fairway lawn
Remember tripping on the fourth of July?
Exploding octopuses in disguise?
They picked you up and they never let you down.
Everyone's forgiven in the land of Pleasant Living now.
Yuri Garagin sends
His kindest regards
How those Yankees doing?
Still Rock and Roll and Fancy cars?
But onto pressing matters
Such as the gluttony of the starving stars.
No time for the wringing of hands
Strange faced ambassadors, strike up the band
Bust out that Dom Perignon
Jonnie Walker Red on that fairway lawn
Remember tripping on the fourth of July?
Exploding octopuses in disguise?
They picked you up and they never let you down.
Everyone's forgiven in the land of Pleasant Living now.
The lyrics of Clutch's song Land of Pleasant Living are full of cryptic references that make it difficult to pinpoint a single interpretation. One possible way to approach the song is to see it as a commentary on the fleeting nature of pleasure and the human desire for escapism. The opening lines of the song suggest that there is no end to the cycle of pleasure-seeking, as represented by the image of a Vodka-spinning Mir (a reference to the Soviet space station).
The next lines seem to encourage the listener to embrace this never-ending frenzy of pleasure, without wasting time on worrying or hand-wringing. The image of "strange-faced ambassadors" striking up a band and serving expensive alcohol on a golf course suggests a world of decadence and excess that is disconnected from reality. Yet, the chorus brings a nostalgic tone to the song, evoking a shared memory of a playful, carefree time ("Remember tripping on the fourth of July? Exploding octopuses in disguise? They picked you up and they never let you down.").
The second verse introduces a shift in perspective, as the singer mentions Yuri Garagin (the first human to orbit Earth) and his curiosity about how Americans are faring. The reference to "Rock and Roll and Fancy cars" might be a nod to the American Dream and its consumerist values. However, the song quickly returns to its critique of greed and excess, as the singer laments the "gluttony of the starving stars" (perhaps a reference to Hollywood celebrities and their insatiable appetite for attention). Overall, Land of Pleasant Living is a complex song that invites multiple interpretations, but one that seems to caution against the dangers of indulgence without a sense of responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
Above there is no ending
The sky does not have a limit or boundary.
For the Vodka spinning Mir
Referring to the space station Mir, which was known for having much vodka onboard.
All that is is passing
Everything in life is temporary and fleeting.
And now is never here
The present moment is constantly slipping away into the past.
So keep on raging
Keep living life fully and passionately.
You frenzied pioneers
Addressing the listener as someone who is living life to the fullest and pushing boundaries.
No time for the wringing of hands
There is no time for worrying or overthinking every decision.
Strange faced ambassadors, strike up the band
Referring to the idea of putting on a show or facade for others.
Bust out that Dom Perignon
Celebrate with the best champagne available.
Johnnie Walker Red on that fairway lawn
Enjoying a high-end whiskey on a golf course.
Remember tripping on the fourth of July?
Recalling a specific moment of celebration.
Exploding octopuses in disguise?
Perhaps referring to fireworks or other types of unexpected explosions.
They picked you up and they never let you down.
Referencing the sense of community and support that can be found in certain places or moments.
Everyone's forgiven in the land of Pleasant Living now.
A message that emphasizes the idea of living in the moment and forgiving others for past mistakes.
Yuri Garagin sends
A reference to the first person in space, Yuri Gagarin.
His kindest regards
A friendly greeting from an iconic figure.
How those Yankees doing?
Asking about the well-being of Americans.
Still Rock and Roll and Fancy cars?
Asking if Americans are still enjoying the things they are known for.
But onto pressing matters
Moving onto more important topics.
Such as the gluttony of the starving stars.
An ironic statement that highlights the excess and waste that can be found in certain industries or communities.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAN MAINES, JEAN-PAUL GASTER, MICHAEL SCHAUER, NEIL FALLON, RICHARD TIMOTHY SULT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind